Synthesis of prostaglandins of the one-series

ABSTRACT

In the synthesis of prostaglandins of the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;one&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;-series an alteration in the conventional reaction sequence avoids side reactions and provides an improved synthesis via a series of novel intermediates. In this improved synthesis the side chain at the 8 position is attached to the five membered ring before the side chain at the 12 position is attached.

United States Patent 1 1 [ll] 3,887,587 Schaaf et al. June 3, 1975 SYNTHESIS OF PROSTAGLANDINS Corey et aL, JACS, 93, i491 (l97l).

OF THE ONE'SER'ES Kotima et aL, Tet Letters, 3333 1972 [75] Inventors: Thomas K. Schaaf, Old Lyme,

Com n Corey, Cambridge Doria et aL, Tet Letters, 4307 (1972) Finch tit 21]., Tet. Letters, 4639 (1969). [73] Assignee: Pfizer Inc., New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert Gerstl [2]] App] No I 244 882 Attorney, Agent, or FirmConnolly and Hutz 521 user. 260/3453;260/345.7;260/347.3; [57] ABSTRACT 260/3462 260/3474; 260/4483 In the synthesis of prostaglandins of the one"-series 260/483 R an alteration in the conventional reaction sequence [5]] Cl C07d C07d H C07f avoids side reactions and provides an improved syn- Field of Search 260/3453. 3 6.3, 73. thesis via a series of novel intermediates. In this im 260/468 D, 468 K, 51 1 514 K, proved synthesis the side chain at the 8 position is at- 476 483 347-3 tached to the five membered ring before the side chain at the 12 position is attached. References Cited OTHER PUBLICATIONS 2 Claims, No Drawings Corey et 3]., JACS, 92, 2586 (1970).

SYNTHESIS OF PROSTAGLANDINS OF THE ONE-SERlES BACKGROUND OF THE l;\\'l:.? Tl0I l This imentiott relates to the synthesis of prostaglaw dins ot'the "one"-scries. In particular it relates ro a process of catalytic reduction where by the ease ol preparation of said prostaglandins is greatly enhanced The pharmaceutical uses of prostaglandins otthe one-series in fertility control. bronchodilation. and blood pressure regulation is well known.

The recent synthesis of prostaglandin E, in its optically active form constituted a notable achievement by E. J. ('orey and his associates (J4 Amer. ('lu'm. Sm 92. 2586 (197m; and references cited therein for other syntheses). This synthetic sequence is characterized by generally high-yield. stereocontrollcd reactions. The selective reduction of the l l.lS-Dis-tetrahydropyranyl ether of prostaglandin lan essential step in the (orey synthesis, is, however. a notable exception as it is exceedingly sensitive to reaction conditions. capri cious. and as it is not amenable to large-scale preparation. The improved synthesis presented hcrcin obviates this troublesome step and thereby greatly enhances the synthesis of the prostaglandins of the one-series SUMMARY OF THE INVENl'lON The present invention comprises the imprmecl step in the synthesis of prostaglandins of the one-series comprising catalytic hydrogenation of an unsaturated compound of the formula;

to form a saturated compound of the formula:

wherein R is an organic protecting group stable to hydrogenation and to basic hydrolysis and easily removable by mild acid hydrolysis:

R, is a lodrocarbyl carbonyl protecting group stable to hydrogenation and to acid lt \t l't:l l\ and cast! removable b. mild basic hydrolysi .uwl

R is a hydrocarbyl protecting group stable to |ndrogenation and to acid hydrolysis and coal; renitw able by mild basic ltydrolysi lh: :mention l'urthcr embraces the process herein saai unsaturated compound is prepared b contacting l earhoxy-n-hutyl)triphenyl phosphonium bromide 1th ti compound of the formula into III

to produce a hydroxycarbosylic acid of the formula;

formula:

said aldehyde is contacted with dimethyl-l oxoheptylphosphonate to form a compound of the formula:

and said compound is reduced to a compound of the formula;

coon

ht-rein R is an organic protecting group stable to hydrogenalion and to basic hydrolysis ;md eusil rcmoxnhlc by mild acid h \tll't)l \l\l R, is it hydrocarbyl carbonyl protecting group stable to hydrogenation and to tlClLl hydrolysi and casilt removable by mild basic lilvtlrulysis. and R is a hvdrocarhyl protecting group stable to hydrogenation and to acid h \drol \sis and easily removable by mild basic hydrolysis ln addition. Compounds 1 through X represent novel classes of valuable intermediates which constitute a further feature of the invention.

Preferred in the foregoing process is the case where l is represented by the formula:

R CH2OCH2C6H5 CH2OCH2C6H5 Illa wherein R is tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl or wherein R is telrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, or dime thylisopropylsilyl; and

R and R are each alkyl of from I to 8 carbon atoms phenylalkyl having up to three carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety phenyl, tolyl, biphenyl, or fluorenyl, and especially preferred is methyl 7-[2B- benzyloxymethyl-Boz-(tetrahydropyranQ-yloxy)- dimethylisopropylsilyl and especially preferred is 7- [ZB-benzyloxymethyl-3a-tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)- Soz-hydroxycyclopent-la-y l l-cis-S-heptenoic acid.

Also preferred is the instance where V is represented by the formula:

Sa-acetoxycyclopenblayl ]-cis5-heptenoate: 40 COQR Preferred in the above process is the instance wherein ll is represented by the formula:

i V QCR wherein COO R is tetrahydropyranyl. tetrahydrofuranyl, or dime- ,n\/\/\/ R5 thylisopropylsilyl; and

R and R are each alkyl of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, I phenylalkyl having up to three carbon atoms in the R v" CH OH alkyl moiety, phenyl, tolyl, biphenyl. or fluorenyl,

11a and especially preferred is methyl 7-[2B-formyl- 3a-tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-5aacetoxycyclopentda-yl lheptanoate. Also preferred is the case where Vl is represented by wherein the formula R is tetrahydropyranyl. tetrahydrofurunyl or dimethylisopropylsilyl; and

R and R; are each alkyl of from l to 8 carbon atoms phenylalkyl having up to three carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety phenyl, tolyl, biphcnyL or fluorcnyl. and especially preferred methyl 712B- hydroxymethyl 3011teirtihydropyrun-lyloxy)5orat ctmycyclopent I my l heptanoiite.

Also preferred in the abme PI'UCCSs is the case where III is represented by the formula wherein R is tetruhydropyrunyl. tetruhydrt\l'urunyl or dimethylisopropylsily]; and R and R are each alkyl of from i to 8 carhons 5 atoms, phenylalkyl having up to three carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, phenyl, tolyl. biphenyl. and especially preferred is methyl Jot-acetoxyl laor fluorenyl; (tetrahydropyran'z'yloxy)lsoxo'trunsl3' and especially preferred is methyl oz-ucetoxy-l lozprosmnoate (tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy l 5-hydroxy transl 3- Also preferred is the case where X is represented by [U prostenoate' U16 fmmlllai DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present improvement in the synthesis of prostaglandins of the one-series can best be illustrated by t5 means of a flo-sheet such as the one shown below in which the inventive step of primary interest is shown at l and Il. Processes leading up to this primary step are shown at Vlll through IX and Ill through lVb. Prowherein R is tetrahydropyrunyl tetruhydrofurunyl or dimethylisopropylsilyl'. and

R and R are each alkyl of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

phenylalkyl having up to three carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, phenyl. tolyl. biphenyl, or fluorenyl COOR cesses leading on from the primary step to prostaglan- 5 2O dins of the one-series are shown at V and V] and X through XVIII. Novel compounds are employed in various steps of this improved synthesis. For example, the compounds employed in steps I through Vl and steps lll through 25 lVb are all novel,

Flowsheet for New PGE nd PGF Synthesis HMO and R wherein R is an organic protecting group stable to hydrogenation and to basic hydrolysis and easily removable by mild acid hydrolysis;

is a hydrocarbyl carbonyl protecting group stable to hydrogenation and to acid hydrolysis and easily removable by mild basic hydrolysis;

is a hydrocarbyl protecting group stable to hydrogenation and to acid hydrolysis and easily removable by mild basic hydrolysis.

XVIII A great many protecting groups for alcohols and car-' boxylic acids, as employed in the foregoing synthesis, are known to those skilled in the art. See for example: C. D. Dierassi, ed., Steroid Reactions: An Outline for Organic Chemists," Holden-Day, San Francisco, l963 pp 1-89; L. F. Fieser and M. Fieser, Reagents for Organic Synthesis," John Wiley and Sons, lnc., New york, 1968; L. F. Fieser and M. Fieser, Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Volume II," Wiley-lntersuence, New York, 1969. Protecting groups for alcohols stable to hydrogenation and to basic hydrolysis and easily removable by mild acid hydrolysis include, for example, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, and dimethylisopropylsilyl. Likewise, hydrocarbyl carbonyl protecting groups for alcohols stable to hydrogenation and to acid hydrolysis and easily removable by mild basic hydrolysis include such radicals as alkanoyl of from 2 to 9 carbon atoms, phenyl alkanoyl having up to four carbon atoms in the alkanoyl moiety, phenyl carbonyl, tolyl carbonyl, biphenyl carbonyl, and fluorenyl carbonyl.

Further, hydrocarbyl protecting groups for carboxylic acids stable to hydrogenation and to acid hydrolysis and easily removable by mild basic hydrolysis include such radicals as alkyl of l to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl alkyl having up to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, phenyl, tolyl, biphenyl, and fluorenyl. A number of equivalent blocking groups will occur to those skilled in the art.

The starting compound for the process of this invention (V1!) is prepared by known methods [Corey, et al. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 92, 1490 (1971)] by iodolactonization of a known (+)-amphetamine salt. Vll is then converted to VII], which is then deiodinated to IX.

To prepare ill, the first novel compound encountered in the synthetic sequence presented above, the ether lactone IX in toluene is mixed with diisobutylaluminum hydride in hexane. The reaction mixture is quenched, diluted with ether, washed with sodium potassium tartrate and brine, and dried and concentrated to hemiacetal lll.

Hemiacetal III is combined with the ylide solution produced from P onium bromide and sodium methylsulfinylmethide in dimethyl sulfoxide. The basic solution thus produced is extracted with ethyl acetatezether, acidified, further extracted, washed, dried and concentrated. The crude Yellow oil is purified by chromatography to the acid IV.

Acid [V in anhydrous ether titrated with an ethereal diazoalkane such as diazornethane or a diazo-aromatic hydrocarbon, and the ethereal solution thus produced is then washed in base and brine, dried, and concentrated to the hydroxyester lVb.

y xyester [Vb in pyridine is combined with either acetic anhydride, other carboxylic acid anhydrideS r y ic acid chlorides. The ethereal solution thus P duced is washed, dried, and concentrated to form he carbohydroxyester l.

The carbohydroxy ester 1 is catalytically reduced, for example, with palladium on carbon in ethanohacet c acid under a hydrogen atmosphere. The mixture is filtered and concentrated to the alcohol Alcohol 1] is combined with a solution obtained by reacting pyridine in methylene chloride with chrom um trioxide. The suspension formed is stirred with sodium bisulfate monohydrate and magnesium sulfate and IS then filtered, washed, and concentrate to aldehyde (4-carboxy-n-butyl )triphenylphos- Aldehyde V is combined with a suspension of sodium hydride in mineral oil in dimethoxyethane to which has been added dimethyl-2-oxoheptylphosphonate. The reaction mixture is stirred under nitrogen and is then quenched with acid. The semisolid product is filtered and concentrated and then may be purified by chromatography to the enone VI.

Enone VI may be reduced to the epimeric mixture X with, for example, zinc borohydride. Compound X may anol. The desired product may be purified by column chromatography. A preferred form of this compound is represented by the formula:

wherein R is tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, or

O dimethylisopropylsilyl. Especially preferred is 9a-l5ozdihydroxy-l la-(tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)-trans-l 3- prostenoic acid.

In accordance with the process of the present invention, carbohydroxy ester I may be suspended in any of a variety of reaction inert solvent media in the presence ofa catalytic amount of a noble metal catalyst and contacted with hydrogen at an appropriate temperature and pressure until reduction occurs. Thereafter, the desired alcohol ll may be recovered by conventional procedure involving catalyst removal and recovery from the solvent medium.

As used herein reaction inert solvent medium" refers to any medium which is a solvent or suitable suspending agent for the reactant, is stable under the hydrogenation conditions and does not interfere with the effectiveness of the catalyst or interact with the reac tant or product. Polar organic solvents are generally suitable and include the lower alkanols such as methanol, ethanol, and butanol, etc., cyclic and straight chain water soluble ethers such as dioxane, tetrahydrofuran,

diethylene glycol monomethylether, 2-ethoxyethanol, the lower alkanoic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, aqueous media including the foregoing solvents, dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid, etc. As will be appre ciated, these solvents and others are conventional in known hydrogenation techniques and hence are not critical. Preferred solvent usage is illustrated in the working examples appearing hereinafter.

The temperature is no more critical in the present process than it is in other known hydrogenations. Thus, the preferred temperature range is from about to about 60C.. the preferred temperature within this range being from about l050C. and preferably room temperature. At temperatures below 0C. the reaction is inordinately slow whereas at temperatures above about 60C., decomposition of the starting material may occur. As is to be expected, the higher the temperature, the faster the reaction rate.

The noble metal catalysts as employed in the present invention include platinum. palladium, rhenium, rhodium and ruthenium, either of the supported or nonsupported type, as well as the known catalytic compounds thereof such as the oxides, chlorides, etc. Examples of suitable catalyst supports include carbon, sil ica and barium sulfate. The catalysts may be preformed or formed in situ by prereduction of an appropriate salt of the catalytic compound. Examples ofpreferred catalysts are palladium-on-carbon, 5% platinum-oncarbon, 5% rhodium-on-carbon, platinum chloride, palladium chloride, platinum oxide and ruthenium oxide. Materials such as the latter, where the metal is in a combined, non-elemental form, generally require prereduction before the hydrogenation can take place. This is accomplished simply by suspending the catalyst precursor in the hydrogenation medium, hydrogenating it, adding the substrate and continuing the hydrogenation. Alternatively, all of the components can be incorporated at once and hydrogenation commenced. The former procedure has the advantage of permitting the operator to separately determine the quantity of hydrogen absorbed during the catalyst prereduction and bydrogenation phase. The extent of hydrogenation can then be more readily controlled.

The expression catalytic amount" as used herein is well understood by those skilled in the art of hydrogenation, and is illustrated in the examples appearing herein.

The pressure employed during hydrogenation is not critical and is primarily dependent upon apparatus availability. In general, pressures of from atmospheric to 2,000 psi. are preferred. As is known, hydrogena tion at atmospheric pressure is generally carried out in equipment wherein a measured volume of hydrogen contained in a reservoir is attached to a manometer in order to measure the volume of hydrogen consumed. Alternatively, a citrate of magnesia bottle and mechanical shaker with a calibrated pressure gauge, or a high pressure autoclave of the stirred or shaken variety may be employed.

Likewise, in the other reaction steps described herein and in the appended claims, such as oxidation of an alcohol to form an aldehyde, the reaction conditions are not critical and a wide variety of appropriate, known techniques will occur to those skilled in the art. The invention claimed is not limited to the specific conditions cited in the examples to follow.

The remainder of the compounds employed in the present improved synthesis of prostaglandins of the one-series are not novel. Details of the remainder of the synthesis have been published by Corey and his coworkers (J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 9l, 535 (1969), and can briefly be summarized as follows: Hydrolysis of the epimeric mixture X with acetic acidiwater followed by pu rification by column chromatography afford the diols XI (eluted first) and Xll (eluted last). The diol Xll is converted into PGFla (XIII) by the action of aqueous methanolic sodium hydroxide.

The diol Xll is also pyranylated with dihydropyran in methylene chloride to give the bis-tetrahydropyranyl ether XIV. Treatment of XIV with aqueous methanolic sodium hydroxide gives the alcohol XV. Oxidation of the alcohol XV with Jones reagent followed by hydrolysis of the resulting ketone XVI will afford PGE, (XVI). To produce PGA (XVIII), XVII is treated with 97% formic acid for 2-3 hours at room temperature (Corey et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 90, 3245 (I968).

If l5-lower alkyl derivatives of the prostaglandins of the one-series are desired, they may be prepared by adding an alkyl lithium compound, such as methyllithium, to enone VI in ether, dropwise at 78C. After quenching, the mixture is warmed to room temperature, washed in water, dried and concentrated to a l5- lower alkyl prostaglandin intermediate such as the IS- methyl derivative of X. The remainder of the synthesis of I5-lower alkyl derivatives of prostaglandins of the one-series is carried out as described above.

The following examples are illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLE I To a solution, cooled to 5, of 5.82 g. mmoles) of the known iodoalcohol in 15 ml. of methylene chloride was added l.7l ml. (18.7 mmoles) of dihydropyran and 27 mg. (0. l5 mmole) of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate. After 20 minutes the reaction was diluted with methylene chloride (30 ml.) and was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (5 ml.) and saturated brine (5 ml), was dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and was concentrated to afford the paleyellow, oily 2-[2B-benzyloxymethyl-3a- (tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy )-5 oi-hydr0xy-4B- iodocyclopent-lot-yl]acetic acid, *y-lactone weighing 6.76 g. (95.5% yield). The nmr, ir, and mass spectra were consonant with the assigned structure.

A solution of 6.76 g. (14.3 moles) of the crude iodoether prepared in Example I, 5.22 ml. (l7.9 mmoles) of tri-n-butyltin hydride and 71.5 ml. of benzene was stirred at 50 under nitrogen for l.0 hour. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and was vigorously washed with saturated sodium carbonate (3x), was dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate), and was concentrated to afford a biphasal oil. The oil was purified by chromatography using first a 1:1 mixture of benzenezether then ether as eluents. After removal of high R, tin byproducts the desired 2-[2B- benzyloxymethyl-3a-( tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)-50thydroxycyclopent-la-yl]acetic acid, y-lactone was 45 minutes the reaction was poured onto ice-water. The basic aqueous solution was extracted with a 2:l

Spectra:

ir (CI-I01 1780 cm lactone carbonyl mnr (CD01 7.55 S singlet 5H aromatic -l. -l9 S singlet 2H gal-eg p- 5-99-5.13 s nmltiplet 5H -cg-o 5. a g quartet 2H -cg -o-Bz J 6 cps J 2 cps ll 1.98-2.99 a multiplet 6H -C & 0-

l.26-72 multiplet TH remaining protons EXAMPLE [I] mixture of ethyl acetate:ether (2 X 60 ml.), was then To a stirred solution, cooled to 78, of the chr0- matographed ether lactone prepared in Example II in 78.8 ml. of toluene was added 13.4 ml. (l0.8 mmoles) of a 0.805M solution of diisobutylaluminum hydride in hexane dropwise. The solution was stirred in the cold under nitrogen for L0 hour then was quenched by the dropwise addition of methanol until gas evolution ceased. The quenched mixture was warmed to room temperature, was diluted with ether (79 ml.), was washed with 50% sodium potassium tartrate (3x) and saturated brine 1x), was dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and was concentrated to afford the crude. colorless, oily 2-[2B-benzyloxymethyl-3a- (tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy )-5a-hydroxycyclopentl ayl]acetaldehyde, 'y-hemiacetal weighing 3.15 g. (92.0% yield). The ir, nmr, and mass spectra of the oil were consistent with the assigned structure.

To a solution of4.96 g. (l l .2 mmoles) of (4-carboxyn-butyl)-triphenylphosphonium bromide in 8.85 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide was added dropwise 9.73 ml. (21.2 mmoles) of a 2.18 M solution of sodium methylsulfinylmethide in dimethyl sulfoxide. To the resultant red ylide solution was added dropwise over a period of 1.0 hour a solution of 1.57 g. (4.50 mmoles) of the crude hemiacetal prepared in Example III in l3.7 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide. After being stirred for an additional covered with ethyl acetate, and was acidified with LG N hydrochloric acid to pH-3. The aqueous layer was extracted further with ethyl acetate; the combined ethyl acetate extracts were washed with water, were dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate). and were concentrated to a viscous yellow oil. The crude oil was purified by chromatography on 30 g. of silica gel using ethyl acetate as eluent. After elution of high R impurities the desired 7-[ ZB-benzyloxymethyl-B a (tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy )-5a-hydroxycyclopentl ayll-cis-S-heptenoic acid was collected weighing l.75 g. (90.0% yield).

Spectra:

ir (CHCI 5.82 acid carbonyl nmr (C00,):

7.30 5 singlet 5H aromatic 6.44-7.00 45 broad 2H -0H singlet 5.28-5.58 5 multiplet 2H olefinic 4.624.79 8 broad [H -0-CH-() singlet 4.5l 8 singlet 2H CH,O char-4.38 8 multiplets 8H -CH,-O &

-CH-O l.22-2.53 6 multiplets loH remaining protons Optical Rotation:

[01],, +l5.l (C 9.94, HCCl EXAMPLE V Spectra:

ir (CHCI 5.77 p Ester carbonyl nmr (CDCl 7.31 5 Sin let 5H aromatic 5.62-5.308 mu tiplet 2H olefinic 4.81-4.635 broad 1H -O-CHO singlet 3.668 singlet 3H ()-CH;, 4.42-3.675 multiplets 9H {H -08L CH-O 2.55-1.368 multiplets 12H remaining protons 1750 cut mnr (CDCl i.85-h. t6 5 EXAMPLE VI A mixture of 1.58 g. (3.54 mmoles) of the crude hydroxyester prepared in Example V, 5.0 ml. of pyridine and 0.736 ml. (7.78 mmoles) of acetic anhydride was stirred under nitrogen at 50 overnight. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and was diluted with ether (75 ml.). The etheral solution was washed with water 1x) and with saturated copper sulfate (3x), was dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate), and was concentrated to afford the colorless, oily methyl 7-[2B- benzyloxymethyl-3a-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-5a- 45 acetoxycyclopent- 1 a-yl]-cis-5-heptenoate weighing 1.61 g. (93.5% yield).

gggcgga:

ir (Cl- C1 1750 cm' ester carbonyls rnnr (CD01 7-50 8 singlet 5H 5 51-5 5 S multiplet 2H 5.22- +.9l 6 multiplet 11-1 4.52 6 singlet 2H 3. 5 s singlet H +.6'T'}.2O 8 multiplets &

2.06 8 singlet 5H 2.55-1.22 6 umltiplets 16H EXAMPLE Vll A heterogeneous mixture of 1.53 g. (3.14 mmoles) of the crude acetoxy ester prepared in Example V1, 305 mg. of 5% palladium on carbon, and 15.3 ml. ofa 20:1 mixture of absolute ethanol:glacial acetic acid was stirred at room temperature under one atmosphere of hydrogen for 48 hours. The mixture was then filtered through Celite 545 and the filtrate was concentrated to afford the colorless, oily methyl 7-[2B-hydroxymethyl- 3a-( tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)-5a-acetoxycyclopentla-yllheptanoate weighing 1.10 g. (87.5% yield).

ester earbonyls multiplet lH -C11 -OA0 multiplet 1H --C1-1 -0 singlet flfi multiplets TH '0'011 & -O-C broad singlet 11-! -O1-[ singlet 5H (3 multiplet s 20H remaining protons EXAMPLE V11] To a mechanically stirred solution of 3.37 ml. (41.7 mmoles) of pyridine in 50 ml. of methylene chloride cooled to to under nitrogen was added portionwise over a period of minutes 1.89 g. 18.9 mmoles) of chromium trioxide. The dark burgundy solution was then let warm to room temperature then was cooled to 0. To the cold solution was added a solution of 0.947 g. (2.37 mmole) of the crude alcohol prepared in Example VII in 7.0 ml. of methylene chloride with the concomitant formation of a dense black precipitate. The suspension was stirred in the cold for 15 minutes then 7.21 g. (52.2 mmoles) of finely ground sodium biaromatic olefinic Cg-o'Ac -0-cg- & 0-03 .rmipiyie tens sulfate monohydrate was added. Alter heing stirred for l minutes (1.25 g. (52.2 mmoles) of anhydrous magnesium sulfate was added. After being stirred for minutcs the dark suspension was filtered through a pad of (elite, was washed with methylene chloride. then was concentrated by rotary evaporation (hath l0) to al ford the crude. dark brown, oily methyl 7-] Zfilormyl- 3a-(tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)-5u-aeetoxycyclopentla-yl lheptanoate which was used without purification.

Spectra:

i1 (CHC1 1670 and 1640 cut nmr (CD615):

nks- 4.70

EXAMPLE IX To a suspension of H0 mg. (2.6l mmoles) of a 57.0% dispersion of sodium hydride in mineral oil in ml. of dimethoxycth was d l d 580 mg. (2.61 f lefi) of dimethyl-2-oxohcptylphosphonate. T mlxture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour under nitrogen with the concomitant formation of a dense white precipitate. To this suspension was added a solution of0.947 g. (237 mmoles) ol' the crude aldehyde prepared in Example VII] in 4 ml. oldimcthoxyethane. The resultant slightly turbid. hrown soluti was stirred at room temperature for 2.0 hours under nitrogen. The reaction was then quenched by the addi' tron of glacial acid to pH-7 and was concentrated by rotary evaporation. The resultant brown semisolid was slurried with benzene. filtered, and concentrated by H- Spectra:

1r (CHCl l'T -lO cm' nmr (01131 tary evaporation to afford the crude product weighing L27 g. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (Baker Reagent Analyzed" 200 mesh) using methylene chloride then a l:l mixture of methylene chloridezethyl acetate as elu cnt. After elution ofless polar impurities, the oily prod uct. methyl )ol-acetoxy-l la-ttetrahydropyran-Z- yloxy)-lS-oxo-trans-l3-prostenoatc weighing 0.970 mg. (83.0% yield) was collected.

ester eerbonyls enone carbonyl H l multiplet 2H ti multiplet 1n -C1t -OAe multiplet lH -O-Cfl-O- singlet 5H -O-Cl -l multiplet 5H OCE' 8c -O-Cl -l singlet: BB 301% multiplets 52H remaining protons EXAMPLE X To a solution of l.07 g. (2. l 7 mmoles) ol' the enone prepared in Example lX in 6.5 ml. ol'dimethoxyethane was added dropwise 2.17 ml. [.08 mmoles) ofa 0.5M Zn(|3H solution in dimethoxyethane. After being stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 3 hours the reaction was quenched by the dropwise addition of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hitartrate until gas evolution ceased. The quenched heterogeneous solution was stirred at room temperature for 5 minutes. was diluted with methylene chloride, was dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate), and was concentrated to afl'ord methyl 9a-acetoxy-l la-(tetrahydropyran-Z- y yl-l5-hydroXy-transl 3-prostenoate as a colorless, viscous oil weighing L07 g. yield).

ester carbonyls multiplet 95 multiplet 1 Cfl-OA multiplet 1H 0 g-o S inglet 5 multiplets 5H -0 -cg- & ..O-CH Q- O l S inglet 3H mull? iplet 5 5 m remaining proton a fipectra:

ir (CI-[01 970 cm nmr (CD01 The product of this example may be treated by the process of Example XIV to yield 9a-l5a-dihydroxy- 1 101-(tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)-trans-13-prostenoic acid.

EXAMPLE XI A solution of 1.07 g. (2.16 mmoles) of the crude TI-IP ether prepared in Example X in 10.7 ml. of a 65:35 mixture of acetic acid:water was stirred at 2 under nitrogen for 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture was then concentrated to afford the crude epimeric diol mixture as a slightly yellow oil weighing 1.0 g. The crude oily product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel g. of Baker Analyzed" -200 mesh) using a 4:1 mixture of etherzcyclohexane as eluent (30 ml. fractions). After removal of higher R,impurities (fractions 1-12), concentration of fractions 13-69 afforded the undesired methy1 9a-acetoxy- 1101,1SB-dihydroxy-trans-13-prostenoate as a viscous colorless oil weighing 0.218 g. (24.5% yield). Elution of the column with ethyl acetate afforded upon concentrationn of fractions -84 the desired methyl 9aacetoxy-l la,l5a-dihydroxy-trans-l3-prostenoate as a viscous colorless oil weighing 0.277 g. (31.2% yield).

nm! (CD01 ester carbonyls trans double bond multiplet 2H 11 multiplet 1H -Cl *I -OAc multiplets 1H -cgog singlet 5H E- singlet 511 E multiplets 27H remaining protons EXAMPLE XII A mixture of 60 mg. (0.15 mmoles) of the diol prepared in Example XI, 0.45 ml. (0.45 mmole) of 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide, 0.45 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, and 0.45 ml. of absolute methanol was stirred under nitrogen at room temperature for 1.5 hours. The solution was then acidified by the addition of 0.45 ml. of 1.0 N aqueous hydrochloric acid (pH of acidified solution was ca. 5). The acidified solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (4 X 2 ml.). The combined extracts were dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and concentrated to afford the white, solid prostaglandin F weighing 55 mg. (103% yield). Crystallization of the solid from ethyl acetate:cyclohexane afforded white 35 microcrystals which melted at 98100.5C. alone and when admixed with authentic PGF EXAMPLE X111 A mixture of 0.210 g. (0.510 mmole) of the chromatographed diol of Example XI, 0.14 ml. (1.53 mmoles) of dihydropyran, 4.2 ml. of methylene chloride, and 1 crystal of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was then diluted with ether, was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, was dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate), and was concentrated to give the oily methyl 9aacetoxy- 1 1 01,1 5a-bis-(tetrahydropyran-2-y1oxy)-trans- 13-prostenoate weighing 0.320 g. (105% yield).

ester carbonyls 3w double bond H multiplet 211 F multiplet 1H -Cl-[ 0Ac multiplet E1 0 -Cfl-0 multiplet 10a 0-cg a. o-cgsinglet 5H H;

singlet 5H -OCCE multiplets 55H remaininit prot ns EXAMPLE XlV A homogeneous solution of 0.253 g. (0.436 mmole) of the crude bis-THP ester prepared in Example X111, 1.3 ml. (1.30 mmoles) ofa 1.0N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, 1.3 ml. of methanol, and 1.3 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was stirred under nitrogen overnight. The reaction was then quenched by the addition of 1.30 ml. (1.30 mmoles) of a 1.0N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. The quenched solution was diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried tanhydrous magnesium sulfate) and concentrated to afford the colorless, oily product. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on Baker Analyzed" silica gel (60-200 mesh) using first chloroform as eluent to remove high R; impurities. Elution with ethyl acetate afforded the colorless, oily 9oz-hydroxy-1 111,150:- bis-(tetrahydropyranQ-yloxy )-trans-l 3-prostenoic acid weighing 0.194 g. (84.8% yield). The rimr and ir spectra of the chromatographed product were superimposable on those of the known compound.

EXAMPLE XV To a solution, cooled under nitrogen to 1 to *20, of 0.194 (0.371 mmole) of the chromatographed acid prepared in Example XlV in 4.0 ml. of acetone was added dropwise 0.163 ml. (0.408 mmole) of Jones reagent. The reaction was stirred in the cold for minutes then was quenched by the addition of0. 194 ml. of isopropanol. The quenched reaction was stirred in the cold for 5 minutes then was diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic solution was washed with water (2x) and saturated brine 1x), was dried (anhydrous magnesium sulfate), and was concentrated to afford the colorless, oily 9-oxo-l l01,15a-bis-(tetrahydropyran-Lyloxy)-l3- trans-prostenoic acid weighing 0.171 g. (88.3% yield).

EXAMPLE XVI A homogeneous solution of 0.171 g. (0.328 mmole) of the crude THP ether of Example XV in 2 m1. of a 65:35 mixture of acetic acid:water was stirred under nitrogen at 40 i 2 for 5 hours. The reaction was con' centrated by rotary evaporation followed by oil pump. The crude, oily product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (Mallinckrodt C(14). Elution with chloroform removed high R, impurities. Elution with ethyl acetate afford the white, solid PGE weighing 84 mg. (72.5% yield). The white solid melted with out depression when admixed with a previously pre pared sample of PGE, at l13.5l 14.

1f PGA is desired, the PGE is treated with 97% formic acid for 2 /2 hours. The resulting mixture is diluted with ice water and the aqueous mixture is extracted three times with ethyl acetate. This extract is dried (Na SO and concentrated (aspirator pressure, ca.

4050) to give a crude oil. Chromatography of the crude product is performed on acidic silica gel using mixtures of chloroform and methanol as the eluent.

EXAMPLE XVll Examples l-X\/l are repeated substituting an appropriate amount of dimethylisopropylsilyl chloride for the dihydropyran introduced in Example I and Example X11, substituting diazooctane for the diazomethane introduced in Example V, and substituting octanoic anhydride for the acetic anhydride introduced in Example V1.

EXAMPLE XVlll wherein R is tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, or dimethylisopropylsilyl; and R and R are each alkyl of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl having up to three carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, phenyl, tolyl, biphenyl, or fluorenyl. 2. Methyl 7-[2B-hydroxymethyl-3a- (tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-5a-acetoxycyclopent-la- 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA:
 1. A compound of the formula: 